The official presentation act of the 42nd edition of the Copa del Rey MAPFRE was held at the Sala Magna of the Real Club Náutico de Palma (RCNP) with an important representation from authorities and local figures, including the President of the club, Rafael Gil, the Commodore, Jorge Forteza, the director for the Baleares region of MAPFRE, María del Carmen Sales, and a number of institutional dignitaries including the deputy Mayor of Palma, Belén Soto Mateu, the Balearic Islands’ councillor of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Jaume Bauzá, the vice president of the Consell de Mallorca (lit. Mallorca Council), Pedro Bestard, the manager for the Baleares Naval Sector, Javier Núñez de Prado, the president of the APB, Javier Sanz, and the president of the RFEV, Chimo González Devesa.

Manu Fraga, the regatta director, opened the presentation with a speech in which he summarized the most noteworthy features of this year’s event, that he defined as,

“One of the most exciting to date. There are over 120 teams represented this year from 23 nationalities, and the Bay of Palma will become a true melting pot of culture and talent. Moreover, this year we have wanted to take a further step toward sustainability, and with the support of MAPFRE we aim to demonstrate how it is possible to enjoy a large-scale sporting event responsibly, and that is committed to caring for our environment.”

Fraga also focused on the social nature of the event, which every year is consolidated as internationally referential.

“Besides the competition, we also want the Copa del Rey MAPFRE to be a huge celebration. A celebration of sport, life, the sea. We have prepared a full social programme of activities for all tastes, that will conclude with a special prize-giving event on Saturday 3rd August at Ses Voltes, an official act that will be attended by HM King Felipe.”

Rafael Gil also spoke of MAPFRE’s support as the main sponsor of the event, alongside a further 39 collaborating companies, and the importance of the dedication of every member of the organization,

“Behind every edition of the Copa del Rey there is a huge amount of work, and especially a great deal of excitement headed up by the Real Club Náutico de Palma. There are close to 350 people working as part of the organisation and we are extremely proud to have contributed to the shape and energy of the event, that is now recognised and respected worldwide.”

Finally, María del Carmen Sales explained the close relationship between the insurance company and the event,

“At MAPFRE we feel completely identified with the sport of sailing. It represents many of our values such as effort, companionship, and teamwork. These values have strengthened our ties with the Copa del Rey and the club for over 15 years. Supporting the Copa del Rey is another manifestation of MAPFRE’s commitment to the Baleares, an autonomous region that is of great importance to us.”

The official presentation serves as the starting gun to the 42nd edition of the Copa del Rey MAPFRE’s social programme, which over the course of eight intense days will be based at the RCNP. The sporting programme will begin on Monday 29th July with the official training races, and the competition will run from Tuesday 30th July until Saturday 3rd August.

The regatta is open to eight classes: four which will compete in real time (ClubSwan 50, ClubSwan 42, Sandberg Estates J70 and the all-female Women’s Cup) and four in compensated time (Watches of Switzerland ORC 0, ODILO ORC 1, Altavista ORC 2 and Balearia ORC 3).

The 42nd edition of the Copa del Rey MAPFRE is organized by the Real Club Náutico de Palma (RCNP) under the delegation of the Real Federación Española de Vela (RFEV) (lit. Spanish Royal Sailing Federation). The event is sponsored by MAPFRE and receives the institutional sponsorship of the Govern de les Illes Balears (lit. Balearic Islands government), the Ayuntamiento de Palma (lit. Palm Town Hall) and with the collaboration of the Autoritat Portuaria de Balears (lit. Balearic Islands Port Authority) and the Federación Balear de Vela (lit. Balearic Islands Sailing Federation).